by The upcoming anime adaptation of How I Became King by Eating Monsters has officially been announced for 2027. The fantasy light novel series by Daken (also romanized as Dagainu in some English-language reports) will be adapted into a television anime, with WHITE FOX, the animation studio behind Re: ZERO Starting Life in Another World, handling production. A teaser visual featuring the protagonist, Prince Mars, has also been unveiled.
The series, commonly known by its Japanese abbreviation Monniku or Mon-Niku, has attracted attention for its unusual premise: a prince who fears being poisoned at every meal survives by eating monster meat and eventually rises to become an exceptionally powerful king. His unexpected journey combines fantasy adventure, comedy, misunderstandings, and a story about gaining strength in difficult circumstances.
The announcement is particularly exciting for fans of fantasy light novels and anime adaptations. Alongside the teaser visual, the original author Daken, original illustrator Shiba, and manga artist Karin Suzuragi have shared comments celebrating the news. The franchise has also surpassed 250,000 copies in combined circulation across its light novel and manga editions.
How I Became King by Eating Monsters: Anime Release Window
The television anime is scheduled to premiere in 2027, with WHITE FOX confirmed as the animation production studio.
Here are the key details announced so far:
- Anime title: How I Became King by Eating Monsters
- Original author: Daken
- Original illustrator: Shiba
- Manga adaptation: Karin Suzuragi
- Animation studio: WHITE FOX
- Release window: 2027
- Source material: Fantasy light novel and manga adaptation
- Japanese abbreviation: Mon-Niku
- Teaser visual: Released
Although the year has been confirmed, an exact premiere date, broadcast schedule, episode count, and streaming platform have not yet been confirmed in the announcement covered here. Fans should watch the official website and social media accounts for further updates.
What Is the Story of How I Became King by Eating Monsters About?
The story follows Prince Mars of the Kingdom of Farune, whose royal status does not guarantee a comfortable or safe life. Instead of enjoying luxurious meals in the palace, Mars lives in constant fear that someone will poison his food.
Because he cannot trust what is served to him, he ventures into the forest outside the castle and hunts monsters. He then eats their meat to satisfy his hunger and survive.
What begins as a desperate way to stay alive eventually becomes the foundation of an extraordinary adventure.
One night, Mars encounters a mysterious, beautiful woman with red hair who carries an enormous greatsword. She approaches him and offers to make him her apprentice. This unexpected meeting changes the direction of his life.
Through a combination of unusual circumstances, newfound strength, encounters with companions, and a major misunderstanding, Mars finds himself on a path toward becoming one of the most powerful kings.
The central appeal of the story lies in the contrast between Mars’s frightening circumstances and the increasingly absurd results of his actions. He does not begin his journey as a confident hero seeking a throne. Rather, he is a prince trying to survive, whose unconventional choices lead to consequences far beyond his original intentions.
This combination of monster hunting, personal growth, and mistaken assumptions gives the series its distinctive identity as a fantasy comedy.
Why Does Prince Mars Eat Monster Meat?
One of the most unusual aspects of the series is the reason behind Mars’s diet.
As a prince, Mars should theoretically have access to the finest food in the kingdom. However, his fear of assassination makes ordinary palace meals dangerous in his eyes. With the threat of poisoned food hanging over him, he chooses to hunt monsters in the forest instead.
Monster meat therefore serves two purposes in the story. First, it provides Mars with a way to survive without relying on potentially dangerous meals. Second, his encounters with monsters become connected to his growing strength.
This unusual survival strategy is central to the anime’s premise. Rather than following the traditional fantasy hero who begins with a grand mission, Mars starts from a position of vulnerability and gradually becomes stronger through circumstances he never expected.
The concept also creates opportunities for humor. A prince who must hunt monsters simply to eat is already an unusual character, and the fact that his survival strategy eventually contributes to his rise toward the throne makes the story even more distinctive.
For viewers who enjoy fantasy stories with unconventional power systems, the idea of gaining strength through eating monsters could be one of the anime’s most interesting features.
A Teaser Visual Reveals Mars Eating Monster Meat
Along with the anime announcement, the production team released a teaser visual featuring Prince Mars eating monster meat in a dark setting.
The image captures the unusual atmosphere of the series. Rather than presenting Mars in a bright royal hall surrounded by luxury, it emphasizes his isolated and dangerous circumstances.
The darkness surrounding the character reflects the difficult life he leads as a prince who cannot safely trust his own meals. At the same time, the image introduces the monster-eating concept that distinguishes the series from more conventional royal fantasy stories.
The teaser visual serves as an early introduction to the anime’s identity, giving fans a first look at how the story may be presented on screen.
However, a teaser image alone does not establish the final animation style, character designs for every cast member, or the overall visual direction of the completed series. Additional promotional materials will provide a clearer picture as the 2027 release approaches.
WHITE FOX to Handle Animation Production
WHITE FOX has been confirmed as the studio responsible for producing the anime adaptation.
The studio is known internationally for its work on Re: ZERO − Starting Life in Another World and has also worked on STEINS; GATE 0. Its involvement is likely to attract viewers who are already familiar with these fantasy and science-fiction productions.
In Re: ZERO, the studio helped bring a story involving dangerous situations, supernatural elements, and character-driven drama to television. Meanwhile, STEIN S; GATE 0 features a science-fiction narrative built around difficult choices and emotional consequences.
How I Became King by Eating Monsters has a different tone and premise, mixing fantasy adventure with comedy and an unconventional hero’s journey.
The studio’s confirmation is therefore an important part of the announcement, although it does not guarantee that the new anime will have the same style or tone as its previous productions.
At present, the confirmed production information identifies WHITE FOX as the animation studio. Further staff appointments, including the director, series composer, character designer, and music composer, should be treated as unconfirmed until officially announced.
Original Author Daken Reacts to the Anime Announcement
The anime adaptation represents a particularly meaningful milestone for Daken, the author of the original light novel.
In his announcement comment, Daken explained that he had never expected the story to receive an anime adaptation. It was the first serialized novel he had posted on the Japanese web-novel platform Shosetsuka ni Narou, also known as Let’s Become a Novelist.
According to the author, the story initially attracted very little attention when it was published online. He even entered a writing competition through the platform but failed to advance beyond the first round of judging.
Despite that difficult beginning, the work eventually received a light novel publication, gained a manga adaptation, and now has an anime planned for 2027.
Daken expressed amazement at how far the series had progressed, describing the experience as something that felt almost like a long dream. He also encouraged readers and future viewers to approach the work casually and enjoy its humor.
His comments highlight an encouraging aspect of the announcement: a story that initially struggled to attract readers has gradually found a larger audience through continued publication and adaptation.
For aspiring writers, the series offers an example of how an early lack of attention does not necessarily determine the long-term future of a creative project.
Illustrator Shiba Celebrates the Adaptation
Shiba, who illustrates the original light novel, also shared a congratulatory message.
The illustrator expressed excitement about seeing the story expand beyond its original format. While the light novel already offers an entertaining experience, an anime adaptation introduces new ways for audiences to enjoy the characters and their adventures.
Animation can bring character expressions, movement, timing, and voice performances together in ways that differ from reading a printed story.
Shiba also expressed hope that the anime would introduce the series to more readers. The illustrator intends to continue working on the artwork so that the appeal of the original story can be conveyed effectively.
The announcement is therefore not only a milestone for the author but also an opportunity to bring the characters and world to a wider audience.
Manga Artist Karin Suzuragi Shares Her Excitement
Karin Suzuragi, who handles the manga adaptation, also celebrated the news.
Suzuragi explained that the original story was entertaining enough that an anime adaptation seemed possible someday. However, she had not expected it to happen so soon.
One of the aspects she is most excited about is seeing the characters she has drawn in the manga brought to life through voices and movement.
Anime adaptations can give familiar characters a new dimension through performances, expressions, action sequences, and music. For readers who already know Mars and the other characters through the manga, this offers an opportunity to experience them in a different format.
Suzuragi also mentioned her enthusiasm as a fan of Mon-Niku, expressing a desire to share the excitement with other fans.
Her comments reflect the enthusiasm surrounding the adaptation among the creators involved in the franchise.
From a Web Novel to a Light Novel, Manga, and Anime
The story’s journey toward television is another important part of the announcement.
Daken originally published the serialized novel on Shosetsuka ni Narou, a Japanese website where writers can share their stories with readers. The work subsequently received a light novel publication, followed by a manga adaptation illustrated by Karin Suzuragi.
The combined circulation of the light novel and manga has now exceeded 250,000 copies, according to the publisher’s announcement.
Each format offers a different way to experience the story:
- Web novel: The original online version introduced readers to the premise and characters.
- Light novel: The published edition presents the story in book form, accompanied by illustrations from Shiba.
- Manga: The comic adaptation brings the characters and action to life through sequential artwork.
- TV anime: The upcoming adaptation will add animation, voice performances, sound effects, and music.
This progression helps explain how a story that initially received limited attention online eventually developed into a multimedia franchise.
It also gives newcomers several ways to explore the series while they wait for the television adaptation.
What Makes This Fantasy Anime Different?
The fantasy anime genre includes many stories about heroes who defeat monsters, acquire powerful abilities, and eventually become rulers. How I Became King by Eating Monsters approaches these familiar elements from a more unusual starting point.
A prince who cannot trust his food: Mars’s royal position places him in danger instead of protecting him from it. His survival depends on finding an alternative to ordinary palace meals.
An unconventional path to power: Monster hunting and eating are directly connected to the story’s central premise, giving the protagonist a distinctive starting point.
Comedy based on misunderstandings: Mars’s journey toward becoming a powerful king is driven partly by a misunderstanding, creating room for humorous and unexpected developments.
A blend of action and character development: The story combines encounters with monsters and growing strength with the personal challenges of a prince living under constant threat.
An underdog-style journey: Mars does not begin as an all-powerful ruler. His transformation makes the progression of his character an important part of the narrative.
These elements could appeal to viewers who enjoy fantasy anime with unconventional protagonists, humorous situations, and a mix of action and adventure.
When Will the Anime Be Released?
The television anime is officially scheduled for 2027. However, the announcement does not establish an exact month or day for the premiere.
The release date, number of episodes, broadcasting channels, international streaming services, and complete voice cast remain details to watch for in future announcements.
The publisher has also announced commemorative bookstore promotions connected to the adaptation. In addition, the original light novel’s seventh volume is scheduled for October 20, 2026, while the manga adaptation’s third volume is scheduled for October 29, 2026, according to the publisher’s announcement.
These publications provide an opportunity for readers to explore the source material ahead of the anime’s arrival.
The announcement of How I Became King by Eating Monsters as a 2027 television anime marks a significant step for Daken’s fantasy series.
With WHITE FOX handling animation production and a teaser visual already released, the project has begun introducing itself to a wider audience. The story’s combination of a threatened prince, monster-eating survival, unexpected power, and a journey toward kingship gives it a premise that stands apart from more conventional fantasy adventures.
The creators’ reactions also add a personal dimension to the announcement. Daken’s surprise at the series’ success, Shiba’s enthusiasm for the expanded adaptation, and Karin Suzuragi’s excitement about seeing the characters animated all demonstrate the importance of this milestone.
For existing fans, the anime offers a new way to experience Mars’s unusual journey. For newcomers, it presents an opportunity to discover a fantasy comedy that begins with a simple question: what happens when a prince who cannot trust his own food starts eating monsters instead?
As more production details emerge, the 2027 adaptation will be worth watching for fans of fantasy anime, unconventional heroes, and stories where a desperate attempt to survive leads to an unexpectedly grand adventure.
